Exams and Tests

The health care provider will look inside your ears. The ear canal area will look red and swollen. The skin inside the ear canal may be scaly or shedding.

Touching or moving the outer ear will increase the pain. The eardrum may be hard to see because of a swelling in the outer ear. Or, the eardrum may have a hole in it. This is called a perforation.

A sample of fluid may be removed from the ear and sent to a lab to look for bacteria or fungus.

Treatment

In most cases, you will need to use ear drops containing antibiotics for 10 to 14 days. If the ear canal is very swollen, a wick may be put into the ear to allow the drops to travel to the end of the canal. Your doctor or nurse can show you how to do this.

Other treatments may include:

Antibiotics taken by mouth if you have a middle ear infection or infection that spreads beyond the ear

Corticosteroids to reduce itching and inflammation

Pain medication, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

Vinegar (acetic acid) ear drops

People with chronic swimmer's ear may need long-term or repeated treatments to avoid complications.

Placing something warm against the ear may reduce pain.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Swimmer's ear most often gets better with the proper treatment.

Possible Complications

The infection may spread to other areas around the ear, including the skull bone. In elderly people or those who have diabetes, a severe infection called malignant otitis externa may occur. This condition is treated with high-dose antibiotics given through a vein.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call a health care provider if:

You develop any symptoms of swimmer's ear

You notice any drainage coming from your ears

Your symptoms get worse or continue despite treatment

You have new symptoms, such as fever or pain and redness of the skull behind the ear

Prevention

These steps can help protect your ears from further damage.

Do not scratch the ears or insert cotton swabs or other objects in the ears.

Keep ears clean and dry, and do not let water enter the ears when showering, shampooing, or bathing.

Dry your ear very well after it has gotten wet.

Avoid swimming in polluted water.

Use earplugs when swimming.

Try mixing 1 drop of alcohol with 1 drop of white vinegar and placing the mixture into the ears after they get wet. The alcohol and acid in the vinegar help prevent bacterial growth.